Did you find more meaning in these Psalms now that you have read the Scriptures related to them?
In Psalm 7, David refers to Cush of the tribe of Benjamin. I could find no reference to anyone of this name in I Samuel, but we know Saul was of the tribe of Benjamin and since this Psalm is regarding divine protection, perhaps David referred to Saul as Cush.
We see that David calls to God for justice and asks God to declare him righteous. He was innocent of what Saul accused him. He knew God could not only see his actions, but also see into his heart. He knew God is an honest judge. David is thankful to God because He is just.
(I never read Psalm 7:15 without thinking of my late husband Mark. When we were building our home in Canandaigua, we had to dig a hole for the electric pole. As it was getting dark, Mark was walking around outside and stepped right in the hole. He had a lot of trouble for quite a while with his leg and back, but that didn’t stop us from teasing him by quoting this verse to him.)
In Psalm 27, we get another glimpse of David’s complete faith in God. I can just see him rehearsing this Psalm while trying to keep out of the hands of Saul. He recognized he should not be afraid because the Lord was his light and his salvation. He knew the Lord was his fortress, that the Lord protected him from danger. He didn’t feel that way because every thing went his way, but because he knew the Lord.
We can see that David’s true desire was to live in the house of the Lord all the days of his life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections, meditating in His Temple. He also recognized that God could teach him how to live and lead him along the right path. Can’t you just hear him saying to himself, perhaps, over and over, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
Aren’t those words “Wait patiently for the Lord” sometimes the hardest words to say when you are going through trouble, when you don’t know how things are going to turn out?
Psalm 31 also talks about God’s protection, but we see some of David’s emotions. He talks about his troubles and the anguish of his soul. He asks God for mercy for he is in distress and tears blur his eyes. He speaks of his body and soul withering away and dying from grief. He also mentions his friends being afraid to come near him. This must have been very hard for someone whom the people were singing about and praising. He was “surrounded by terror,” but he trusted God and left his future in God’s hands. He once again mentions hiding in the shelter of God’s presence. He finally calls out to all of us who put our hope in the Lord to love the Lord and to be strong and courageous.
In Psalm 34, David once again rehearses God’s goodness. If you are ever feeling down and need encouragement, read this Psalm, pray this Psalm, rehearse this Psalm, and believe every word for “the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.”
Psalm 52 gives us insight into David’s heart and mind regarding Doeg’s betrayal to Saul that David had gone to see Ahimelech. Almost all of Ahimelech’s family lost their lives as a result of Doeg’s report to Saul. What does David say was Doeg’s problem? His lack of trust in God – see verse 7: “Look what happens to mighty warriors who do not trust in God.” David also refers to Doeg loving to destroy others with his words. What a sharp contrast to David, who always trusts in God’s unfailing love.
Tomorrow, it’s I Samuel 25 – 27.
Until next time…
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